A blanket is a large piece of soft, warm cloth used to cover yourself, especially in bed, to keep warm.
The word comes from Middle English “blanket,” meaning a white woolen cloth. It traces back to Old French “blanchet,” from “blanc,” meaning “white,” because early blankets were often undyed and pale.
We now think of blankets as any color or pattern, but the word originally pointed to whiteness, not warmth. Over time, its meaning expanded so much that we even use it metaphorically, like a “blanket ban” that covers every situation.
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